It’s the time of year when many of us start preparing to host family and friends for holiday festivities. From Chanukah and Christmas to Kwanza and New Year’s, there’s lots to celebrate!

Sometimes we just don’t know where to begin — and that’s what makes the entryway the best place to start.

First impressions are made when people step into your home, so here are our top three ways to make your home welcoming:

Entryway Furniture

(Artage entryway table pictured above.)

Entryways can be both welcoming and functional. They are also high traffic areas that are highly visible and set the tone for the rest of your home.

From having a functional place to hang your coat or place your purse, to a place where you can showcase seasonal decor, the entryway is an important space in your home. It’s an ideal space for form to meet function.

Depending on your space, we suggest adding:

(Bermex BE54-1201 bench pictured above.)

• A stylish bench.
  • This will not only look fantastic, but will provide a place for guests to sit when putting on and taking off their boots.
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• A sleek console table.
  • These slim tables are great for entryways, offering a place to drop your keys or display seasonal decor.
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• A helpful coat tree.
  • Coat trees are not only practical for holding coats and scarves, they are also an on-trend focal point in your entryway.

Mirrors

Mirrors are a great way to bring light and sparkle into a space, and an entryway is an ideal place for a mirror, as people tend to check their appearance when entering or leaving a house.

Mirrors come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colours. You can mix and match them on a wall, or even lean them up against one another on a shelf or on the floor. The options are virtually endless.

Depending on your space, you can add a single large mirror, or multiple smaller mirrors. Alternating design and shape is on-trend and will bring visual interest to your entryway. Mirrors can also be hung or placed on a shelf or table.

Try mixing and matching glass mirrors with chrome and brass mirrors. Combining these three elements will bring a sparkle to your entryway. There are no rules, so play around until you find the perfect arrangement.

Area Rugs

Area rugs are often forgotten, but they make up an integral part of your entryway’s aesthetic.

Stepping on the entryway rug is the first thing — and last thing — people will do when they come to your home.It is important to have a rug that can handle some wear and tear, while still looking fabulous.

Kalora rugs offer a stunning array of area rugs to suit any home. From wool, to jute, to synthetic fibres, they have it all.If you’re concerned about stains, consider a patterned rug — patterns are a great way to conceal potential dirt or stains.

Come into Smitty’s today and find the perfect additions to make your entryway welcoming and spectacular!